Sometimes I almost feel "tempted" to go back to Church.

[_MCB]

How many of you non-TBM's who still believe in the Book of Mormon have read David Persuitte's Joseph Smith and the Origins of the Book of Mormon (1985)? It presents the Ethan Smith theory, originally lightly covered by BH Roberts. Recent work in the Jockers study indicates that Oliver Cowdery participated in writing the book, and p. 46-47, 119-120, 131-132, 150-153, 160-161, 189-191, 198-199, 213, 237-238, 255, 309, and 336-337 of E. Smith's Keys to the Revelation, only recently made available, all contain parallels to the Book of Mormon, and the thinking behind it.

Ethan Smith was HIGHLY literate, and could easily have integrated parallels to other literature into the Book of Mormon. He was working on Keys to the Revelation during the time the Book of Mormon was being written. He desperately wanted his interpretation of Isaiah and Revelation to come to pass, and make the Americas a refuge for the people of Europe.

[_consiglieri]

Ray or Consig, as two who are not TBMs but who still value the Book of Mormon what are your thoughts on this?

Speaking only for myself (obviously), I find a great deal of evidence in the Book of Mormon that it is a product of nineteenth century America. The problem is I also find a great deal of evidence in the Book of Mormon that it is product of the ancient world.

This leaves me "in a strait betwixt two," as Paul would put it.

All I can say is I agree with a recent Mormon Stories interviewee that the LDS Church (and the Book of Mormon) is not either completely true or completely false. It is not either/or. It is both and neither.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_Brackite]

This Thread basically reminds me of the Thread I did over a year and a half ago here.

Should I return to the LDS Church too?:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13762

[_RayAgostini]

It's a thought that has only occasionally "rolled" through my mind. I've never acted on the thought, and I'm pretty sure I won't as long as I'm living here in Oz. If I were to live in, or even migrate to somewhere like Utah, there would be a chance. Perhaps more for a sense of community, "belonging". I managed to teach Gospel Doctrine in 2000 to Feb.2001, with all of my heretical views. Separation and divorce ended that. Starting all over, then, was just too much to bear, and the sense of a new found freedom was irresistible. I've very much enjoyed my freedom, but in the end I believe cab driving has done serious mental and emotional damage to me. I've seen the best and worst of human nature, and I've seen a side of society I never saw. Innocence gone. The hustle and bustle of Sunday here is like any other working day, and I have to admit I long for "quiet Sundays", where most shut up shop. Who hasn't had that peaceful "after Church" feeling? Of course it all comes at a cost, and perhaps I'm actually too weak to bear that cost, and I'm not talking about finances.

In any case, I'm out of time, and have to go - to work. Have a good day.

[_sock puppet]

This Thread basically reminds me of the Thread I did over a year and a half ago here.

Should I return to the LDS Church too?:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13762

Brackite, stop the suspense. In that year and a half, have you returned?

[_gramps]

I wish you the best, Ray, but...

Thirty-seven years after joining the Church, and leaving it in 1987, I still seem to be a "DNA Mormon". The most peace and assurance I've ever known, was sitting in Mormon chapel, with friends and family, and feeling that mysterious "burning in the bosom", which seemed to "say", "this is the way, walk ye in it".

If what you say is really true, at least for me, I would think about 'repenting' and get back to the pew. I can't say that, at all. Really, the most peace and assurance you have ever known? That is kind of sad. I get much more peace 'in the real world,' walking around the lake with the dog or having a beer with a friend after work.

As for the Book of Mormon, I truly feel that picking up Shakespeare and reading a few sonnets or a tragedy is far more rewarding than reading the Book of Mormon for, what is it now, Ray, the 100th time, or something like that?

[_sock puppet]

Really, the most peace and assurance you have ever known? That is kind of sad. I get much more peace 'in the real world,' walking around the lake with the dog or having a beer with a friend after work.

As for the Book of Mormon, I truly feel that picking up Shakespeare and reading a few sonnets or a tragedy is far more rewarding than reading the Book of Mormon... .

Ain't that the truth!

[_Polygamy-Porter]

Thirty-seven years after joining the Church, and leaving it in 1987, I still seem to be a "DNA Mormon". The most peace and assurance I've ever known, was sitting in Mormon chapel, with friends and family, and feeling that mysterious "burning in the bosom", which seemed to "say", "this is the way, walk ye in it".

Confirmation bias?

[_Brackite]

Brackite, stop the suspense. In that year and a half, have you returned?

Nope.

[_Yahoo Bot]

Brackite, stop the suspense. In that year and a half, have you returned?

Nope.

The Church isn't for everybody. Good for you.